FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2014, file phot, Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn looks to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis. The New England Patriots signed Flynn on Friday, June 12, 2015, to shore up the quarterback position with Tom Brady facing a four-game suspension. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots have signed Matt Flynn to shore up the quarterback position with Tom Brady facing a four-game suspension.

That suspension could be reduced after Brady’s hearing with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on June 23, but Flynn provides depth at a spot where the Patriots only have second-year pro Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Patriots signed Flynn one day after releasing quarterback Garrett Gilbert, a sixth-round pick last year by the St. Louis Rams who was added to New England’s practice squad on Dec. 17.

Flynn was a seventh-round draft pick by Green Bay in 2008 and made his first NFL start on Dec. 19, 2010, against New England. He completed 24 of 37 passes for 251 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a 31-27 win by the Patriots.

After four years as a backup at Green Bay, Flynn signed a three-year, $26 million contract with Seattle as a free agent on March 18, 2012. But rookie Russell Wilson won the starting job and Flynn was traded to Oakland on April 1, 2013.

The Raiders released him that October and he signed with Buffalo a week later. He spent three games with the Bills but didn’t play before being cut on Nov. 4.

He signed with Green Bay on Nov. 12, 2013. Last season with the Packers, Flynn completed 8 of 16 passes for 66 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in seven games as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

In 51 NFL games, seven of them starts, Flynn has completed 219 of 357 passes for 2,541 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

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